What exactly makes a Hippy?

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I have dreads, live in a caravan, have three dogs, I am anti war, I am into growing things and permaculture, frugal living, existing outside of the system, I try to live as true to my anarchist ideals as I can. I don't know what I am.

Some people might call me a hippy or think of me as a hippy but I do not consider myself a hippy.

In all seriousness I think to be a real (original) hippy you have to have been a part of the 1960's counter culture/new age movement. The movement flopped, unfortunately. But the culture's lifestyle, attitudes and values live on - and it is from their attributes and ideas from wence came forth the essence of hippy as we now know it.

No one should need to be/show anything except the true nature of themself.

The post was edited 1 time, last by Ostrobogulous: i don't even know (Nov 22nd 2015).

I haven't a clue, but from being on this forum, it certainly wasn't what the media told me.

I now believe it is a kinship between people who are more considerate to the world, animals and (maybe) humans. People who are different from others, yet feel connected with the universe and strive for more than material possessions.

Although I was around in the 1960's and 1970's and young then, and shared the ideals of the time, I wouldn't consider that alone makes me an hippy. Personally, I may have hippy sympathies, hippy ideals, and hippy attitudes; but I am also aware of trying to keep a logical mind when assessing problems and circumstances, and this doesn't always go down well with those farther out - perhaps far out - down the hippy path.

I think being a hippy is more an attitude of mind, a kinship of those with similar attitudes of consideration to life and the universe, as Fire-Tree says.Perhaps it is also a kinship of those who find themselves stranded in a strange and violent society of greed and self-seeking, and turn together for companionship as they seek the gentle faerie pathways that do exist, even here.

When I was growing up in Cornwall, my friends Dad and his mates were called 'hippies' by my parents and their mates.Incidentally my friends Dad called my parents Townies or Norms Every year he'd take his kids to Glasto, they'd stay on the Tipi field. My friend was always able to have the coolest parties, and I'd love spending time there.

My mates and I would never think of him or is crew as 'Hippies'. We called them 'Lentils' because they were vegetarians. I think we were way more fascinated with that, as Vegetarians in our farming community were considered a bit of an oddity.I randomly bumped into him at a festie last year, and he said the term 'Lentil' has always stuck. He eats fish now though so he's only a 'Half Lentil'.